Substance abuse among medical practitioners

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature relating to the prevalence, causes and treatment of substance abuse and psychiatric illness among doctors. Possible aetiological and pathogenic factors influencing drug‐dependent doctors are discussed and some problems which arise in the management of these doctors are raised. Local studies in relation to certain personality factors in medical students, to cause of death in a medical cohort, and preliminary impressions from a study of substance‐abusing doctors are reported. 1991 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs